Boris Becker has compared Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic's US Open matches

Andy Murray has an advantage at the US Open because he played such a tough first-round match, says Novak Djokovic’s coach Boris Becker.

The British No 1 came through a difficult tie against Nick Kyrgios, the gifted but temperamental up-and-comer, in four sets on Tuesday night.

Djokovic, in contrast, breezed through 6-1 6-1 6-1 in his first outing against an outclassed Joaoa Souza. Becker, a former US Open winner himself, believes Murray's route is preferable in pursuit of the top prize.

Maybe he's a step ahead of the rest of the field.

"Every tournament you have that one match that you need to really get going," Becker told Sky Sports.

"[Murray's match against Kyrgios] was a tight one, especially the first three sets. That's when you know he's done his homework, the practice before the tournament and he's ready to go.

"Usually you get that in the third or fourth round or quarter-final but Andy got it in the first round.

"So maybe he's a step ahead of the rest of the field."

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Murray eventually persevered 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-1 against Kyrgios, dropping the third set to the skilful world No 37.

Becker insists that Murray did well to return fire in the fourth and final set, and will ultimately benefit from such a strenuous workout at the start of the Flushing Meadows campaign.

Becker said: "It was a big challenge. It was a real test, probably the worst first round you could have had as one of the top seeds and he handled it beautifully.

"Nick played well, especially at the beginning of the match when he was up a break. Andy broke back. Once the first set was done, Nick got irritated.

"It was the tough match we expected it to be. It was the right challenge at the right time."

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